By Katherine Gittman
CP Reporter
Many from all over the county participated in different events honoring the men and women who sacrificed their lives for America’s freedom. Throughout Caroline, many exhibits were open that offered a little history about those who have served from Caroline during World War I and II.
Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day first began back in 1868 as a day to honor those who fought in the Civil War. Once World War I took place, the holiday then began to honor every American military personnel who died in combat. From 1868 to 1970, Memorial Day was celebrated on May 30 every year until Congress approved the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, which granted that Memorial Day would be celebrated on the last Monday of May. The act went into effect in 1971 and created a three-day weekend for federal employees and it also established Memorial Day as a federal holiday.
To help remember the history and honor of those who served and made the ultimate sacrifice for America’s freedom, many exhibits opened up to the public for the first time that paid tribute to those who served in Caroline throughout World War I and II. Some of the exhibits were showcased in the Caroline Museum and Cultural Center and Sidney E. King Arts Center in Bowling Green and the American History Museum in Port Royal.
On Monday morning, the annual Memorial Day Ceremony was held in front of the Caroline County Courthouse and this year, Robert Orrock served as the guest speaker. Orrock has served in the Virginia House of Delegates since 1990, representing the 54th district and representing both Caroline and Spotsylvania County.
Before Orrock began his speech, the Caroline Sheriff Office presented the posting of the colors. Jeffrey Black, representing the western Caroline district on the Board of Supervisors paid tribute to Michael T. Walter, a Richmond police officer who was killed last Friday in the line of duty and Brent Johnson, a Caroline County firefighter who was killed in a car accident last Sunday.
Throughout Orrock’s speech, he spoke about how as we often become busy, it can be easy to forget things but then highlighted how it is important to remember history, especially when it comes to family history. And when we don’t remember history, it can be easy to repeat the same mistake.
When speaking about history, Orrock shared that as we remember the past, it helps us commemorate those who sacrifice their lives for our freedom. He stated, “and most importantly, when we don’t remember history, we dishonor those who gave their all for us here today.” He then shared that there are three things that we can do to honor those who have served by remembering, never taking our freedom for granted, and by establishing memorials that will help us remember what they have sacrificed.
“The greatest means of which we can honor those who came before us is by keeping their memories alive,” shares Orrock.
He then shared a quote from President Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address that highlighted how those who have served will never be forgotten.
“This is all about remembering because as we remember, we honor their sacrifice,” shares Orrock.
The speech concluded with refreshments and tours of the Caroline County Courthouse were offered for four hours following the speech.
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